Big City: 20th Anniversary Jumbo Edition! (2019) Board Game

Big City: 20th Anniversary Jumbo Edition! is a city building board game designed by Franz-Benno Delonge and published by Mercury Games in in 2019. This game is an updated version of the original Big City game, celebrating its 20th anniversary with larger components and updated artwork.

Game Components of Big City: 20th Anniversary Jumbo Edition!

Jumbo-sized building miniatures, 33% larger than the original game

Cards representing eight different neighborhoods

New Waterfront Tile that acts as a barrier and provides bonuses

Revised property trading rules

72 cards sized 44 x 68mm.

How To Setup Big City: 20th Anniversary Jumbo Edition!

To set up the game, players start by laying out the initial neighborhood tiles on the board. Each player receives a starting hand of cards. The game includes a new mandatory Redevelopment Phase, which occurs at the end of each round, where players must surrender and then reclaim properties to prevent hoarding.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Hand Management: Players manage their cards to build structures.

Modular Board: The board is built by placing neighborhood tiles.

Tile Placement: Players lay out buildings of varying sizes (one, two, or three spaces) in different neighborhoods.

Trading: Players can trade properties, with new rules to prevent stand-offs.

Redevelopment Phase: A mandatory phase where players surrender and reclaim properties to ensure active play.

Escalating City Hall Points: City Hall’s point value increases each round.

Early Game End: The game can end immediately if all players pass or use the exchange action.

Player Experience

In **Big City: 20th Anniversary Jumbo Edition**, players engage in strategic city building, aiming to score points by constructing buildings in optimal locations. The game encourages active play through the Redevelopment Phase, preventing players from hoarding properties. The escalating City Hall points and the potential for an early game end add layers of strategy and urgency.

Pros

Enhanced Components: Jumbo-sized building miniatures and revised rules improve gameplay.

Strategic Depth: The game offers a good balance of strategy and luck.

Improved Mechanics: The new Redevelopment Phase prevents stand-offs and promotes active play.

Shorter Playtime: Games last between 46-60 minutes, making it accessible for various player groups.

Cons

Limited Player Count: The game is designed for 2-4 players, reducing its appeal for larger groups.

Complexity: While the complexity is rated at 2.6, new players may need time to understand the mechanics.

Early Game End: The game can end abruptly if all players choose to pass or use the exchange action, which might be unsatisfying for some players.

Personal Thoughts on Big City: 20th Anniversary Jumbo Edition!

**Big City: 20th Anniversary Jumbo Edition** is ideal for fans of city-building and strategic board games. It is particularly suited for players who enjoy games with a moderate level of complexity and those who appreciate the challenge of optimizing building placements. This edition’s improvements, such as the Redevelopment Phase and jumbo-sized miniatures, enhance the overall player experience, making it a great addition to any board game collection.

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